OK so maybe I'm exaggerating a little just to get your attention... but really, (in my best Jerry Seinfeld imitation) what's the deal with buyers?
Can someone please tell me why buyers clam up
? Evade? LIE?! Are they embarassed because they think you will find out about every nitty gritty detail of their income ledger?
Case in point. Throughout this crazy market, I have found myself as a property manager of 2-3 listings I was unable to sell. One of the properties' lease is up in October. The landlords wanted me to check to see if the renter wants to renew his lease. He tells me no, he's in the market to buy. I offered my services, he accepts. I tell him, answer these questions for me before we move forward:
* Have you talked to any other Realtors? * What is your timeframe? (do you need to be in a new home by October when you move out?) * What is the best time to show you properties? * Will anyone else be on the mortgage except you and/or your fiancee?
(insert crickets here)
I email him a week later to check in, only to find out he's not only got another realtor on the job, he's signed papers for a new home! WTH?! If you've already got another Realtor, what do you need me for? Hmmmm....
Here's another example: working with a couple for THREE MONTHS last year. They are moving from Ohio to this great state.They have a contract on their house and ready to buy. The closing date comes and goes- their buyers in OH are unable to get their loan. I start to get the cold shoulder from my buyers
The wife has already admitted to me she feels she's "above" 
renting so she can't wrap her head around that concept even though they're bascially forced to do so since I HAVE BEEN CUT OUT OF THE PICTURE. Why is it so hard to say "Look, Lisa, we are so sorry this has happened. It's out of our control but we feel awful that we've run you around for 3 months and we are unable to buy at this time." Why is this so hard?
Third exmaple: working with another young couple for several months. They are just out of bankruptcy and looking for properties. After making an offer on a home their lender doesn't like, they pull out altogether and decide to rent a little while longer.
Is it a generational thing? It is kids in their 20s who just have bad manners and a sense of entitlement? Even though I didn't do anything to cause these people their woes. Why is it OK to abuse me? Why is it OK to abuse Realtors in general?
Needless to say, I have a new vetting system like the most recent example above. At least in that case, I hadn't done any work yet.
Whew! Thanks for listening... as a relatively inexperienced Realtor, I'd appreciate any feedback you can give on the matter. Other than grilling our buyers, how else do we force them to be honest?
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